Before the flood

Flood management has become a national priority. In addition to high profile flooding in larger water courses, there are numerous local problems associated with small streams, culverts and sewers which are giving cause for concern.

Now, flood management organisations are set to benefit following funding which has been awarded to researchers at the University of Aberdeen.

The team, from the College of Physical Sciences, have been awarded almost £190,000 towards developing a novel methodology based on drag reduction technology suitable for use in culverts and streams. The concept involves lateral bars added to the bottom and/or the sides of a conduit which can be specifically placed to increase the flow capacity of the channel at a critical, pre-determined level.

The team have received a grant from the Scottish Enterprise’s Proof of Concept (PoC) Fund, which supports leading-edge technologies in Scotland’s academic institutions, and aims to help export innovation from the lab into the global marketplace.

The technology being developed should be capable of deployment in culverts and streams with the aim of increasing their flow capacity near the critical flood condition. This deployment is intended to reduce the frequency of floods at particular locations.